Newcastle races on Monday with seven races on the Beaumont track, starting at 1:50pm. The track was rated a Good 4 when tips came out.
Steel Knight in Race 3 is our most confident bet. Super Vitality in Race 2 is the other short one we like, and Jade Trees looks the right horse to finish the day with. If you want some value, Gem Tycoon at double figures in Race 4 and Broken Wings in Race 6 are both worth a small bet.
Race 1 - Drinkwise Benchmark 66 Handicap (2100m)
Selection: Questionable Current odds: $3.00
Questionable won well at Dubbo last start and has won two of six runs this preparation. This is a harder race, but he finishes strongly and the 2100m suits. Astrogazer is the main danger. He comes back quickly after a fifth at Nowra and has placed twice this campaign. Sound And Vision won at Grafton at long odds and can run a place.
Selections:
- Questionable - $3.00
- Astrogazer - $3.80
- Hussy La Vista - $6.00
- Sound And Vision - $11.00
Race 2 - Dailey Family Funerals Country Boosted Maiden Plate (1150m)
Selection: Super Vitality Current odds: $2.25
Super Vitality ran fourth at Tamworth when fresh and has placed at Scone, so he should improve again second-up. He looks the one to beat. Thirty Degrees placed second at Armidale last start and has four placings from eight runs this campaign. He should go forward from the wide draw. Unalienable Right gets a good jockey booking and can bounce back after a sixth at Tamworth.
Selections:
- Super Vitality - $2.25
- Thirty Degrees - $6.00
- Unalienable Right - $6.50
- Lotsa Dipity - $10.00
Race 3 - Reward Hospitality Class 1 Handicap (1150m)
Selection: Steel Knight Current odds: $2.40
Steel Knight is our best bet of the day. He was narrowly beaten at Canberra last start when well backed, and he has drawn barrier 1. This looks a suitable race, and he should get a good run near the lead. Seductra comes from a strong stable and drops back to a country race, so she is the main danger, although she has to carry more weight. Very Sirius returns after 13 weeks and can run a place.
Selections:
- Steel Knight - $2.40
- Seductra - $3.30
- Very Sirius - $7.50
- Frostisen - $10.00
Race 4 - New Era Technology Class 1 Handicap (1350m)
Selection: Gem Tycoon Current odds: $10.00
This is our value bet. Gem Tycoon ran second at Goulburn last start, beaten less than a length, and has placed twice this preparation. He has early speed and a good gate, so he should get a soft run near the lead. Good’N’You is the favourite after a fifth at Randwick Kensington and is the clear danger in this easier race. River Jordan broke his maiden at Newcastle at big odds and must be considered.
Selections:
- Gem Tycoon - $10.00
- Good’N’You - $2.30
- River Jordan - $8.50
- The Warrior - $10.00
Race 5 - TAB Maiden Handicap (1350m)
Selection: Shanti Current odds: $5.00
Shanti ran sixth at Rosehill last start and now drops to a country maiden. She also wears blinkers for the first time, which could help her settle closer to the lead. Stunning Future finished only a length from the winner at Hawkesbury first-up and is the main danger. Romancastle was beaten half a length at Goulburn and keeps improving.
Selections:
- Shanti - $5.00
- Stunning Future - $3.20
- Romancastle - $6.00
- Insain Chaos - $8.50
Race 6 - NZB Country Boosted Benchmark 58 Handicap (1200m)
Selection: Broken Wings Current odds: $7.50
Broken Wings finished sixth at Taree last start, but he placed earlier this preparation and faces an easier field here. At $7.50 he is a good each-way bet. Fancy Shoulder only just missed as favourite at Port Macquarie and has won twice this campaign, so she is the main danger. Langlo Crossing also placed at Port Macquarie and won first-up this preparation.
Selections:
- Broken Wings - $7.50
- Fancy Shoulder - $4.60
- Langlo Crossing - $4.40
- Starry Jack - $11.00
Race 7 - The Prince Of Merewether Benchmark 66 Handicap (1350m)
Selection: Jade Trees Current odds: $3.30
Jade Trees won at Grafton on a soft track last start and has won three of four runs this campaign. He steps up in distance but should get a good position from barrier 2. Chestime won at Taree and has placed at every other start this preparation, so he is the danger even with more weight. Missile Magnate won fresh at Muswellbrook and has drawn the rail.
Selections:
- Jade Trees - $3.30
- Chestime - $4.20
- Missile Magnate - $6.50
- Sipping Shamus - $7.50
